On the August 28 episode of Music Station, the show had a special feature. It was a ranking of the top 25 acts from the Showa era versus the top 25 acts from the Heisei era. The Showa era is defined as the period during the reign of Emperor Hirohito. His reign lasted from December 25, 1926 – January 7, 1989. After Hirohito’s death, his son, Akihito, became Emperor. On January 8, 1989, the Heisei era began, and it continues to this day.

In preparation for this battle between the eras, Music Station gathered the single and album sales for the best selling acts from both eras from Oricon. The sales used are accurate as of the end of this past June. We still start with the #25 act of the Showa era, and work our way up, and then do the same for the Heisei era.